Floor Boards

[paxfish]

Originally Posted by UpOnStands

would love to see any photos you have the process/results

Nothing really picture worthy. And the process is simple. Cut your pieces, lay up 1708 glass on each side. I also learned about peel ply in this process. Even if you are not vacuum bagging, it is worth the money to put a top layer of peel ply to reduce the fairing and finishing after everything cures....

In this case, I removed 60 pounds from a 2800 pound cat in one fell swoop. this coming winter, I intend to build additional "weight savers..."

[paxfish]

Originally Posted by PortClydeMe

Anyway, I'm not a cat or trimaran person,

That much is apparent.

If you want to boogie, you gotta get the lead out....

[UpOnStands]

Originally Posted by paxfish

removed 60 pounds from a 2800 pound cat in one fell swoop. this coming winter, I intend to build additional "weight savers..."

why this core rather than regular stiff foam?
are the structures very highly stressed?

[jreiter190]

What would the weight be if you made your cabin sole boards out of diamond plate aluminum? Non skid, cool looking and you'd get stiffness and strength without much thickness. Just asking. ..

[paxfish]

Originally Posted by UpOnStands

why this core rather than regular stiff foam?
are the structures very highly stressed?

Not real high stress. It is the entry point for the boat, so I don't want it to flex at all. I was looking for a core that rates similar to marine plywood.

What is the "regular" stiff foam that you are referring to?

[Rustic Charm]

I replaced my 3/4 marine ply boards with the same but new.

But, I wanted to use 'plastic' for both weight and durability. Unfortunately by the time I paid for freight for each sheet into my state I was unable to afford it. But it really appealed to me.

[UpOnStands]

Originally Posted by paxfish

Not real high stress. It is the entry point for the boat, so I don't want it to flex at all. I was looking for a core that rates similar to marine plywood.

What is the "regular" stiff foam that you are referring to?

divinycell foam
Merritt Marine Supply. Divinycell Foam
assume it is cheaper than the Carbon core but not sure.

[UpOnStands]

to paxfish
divinycell foam appears to be most common

[gonesail]

i hate creaky flexible floor boards therefore i recommend 1/2" or thicker marine plywood.

[paxfish]

Originally Posted by UpOnStands

to paxfish
divinycell foam appears to be most common

Gotcha. Yes - very similar characteristics. This is an expanded foam, but it has fiberglass threads running through it.

[jreiter190]

Okay, Redhorse, I don't want you to answer my question. In fact, I don't want you to even CONSIDER it, seeing how it came from a mono hull sailor. I have sailed a shitload of lightweight cats and tris. Cross , Brown Spronk, Piver, etc.

[UpOnStands]

Originally Posted by paxfish

Gotcha. Yes - very similar characteristics. This is an expanded foam, but it has fiberglass threads running through it.

easy to cut? the threads pull out of the foam?
sorry to be asking so many questions but you appear to be the first to try this product.

[Delancey]

Just throwing it out there but if you can build in some additional floor framing (think stringers) and reduce the unsupported panel area you can probably get away with thinner flooring material.

[Roy M]

I have been slowly replacing all my floorboards. When I built the boat, thirty-some years ago, I did so with 3/8 plywood over plywood trusses (40 inch spans), which were epoxied and non-skidded. My new ones are 1/2 inch honeycomb with graphite cloth under and fiberglass above, painted with LPU and lightweight non-skid. I have calculated that the weight savings, alone, equal the refrigerator, compressor and related gear in accumulated weight. Not a bad exchange. Also, I used 1 by 2 inch rectangular aluminum "tube", with 1 inch "lightening" holes (like you'd see in an airplane) to provide maximum stiffness to the floorboard, and allow me to completely open up the bilge for superior access.

[paxfish]

Originally Posted by UpOnStands

easy to cut? the threads pull out of the foam?
sorry to be asking so many questions but you appear to be the first to try this product.

No problem. Very easy to cut, though you'll want to wear a mask as the dust is irritating. Use your circular saw, router, whatever

When you say "threads pull out of the foam", I think you are talking about how well it holds fasteners. Everywhere there is a fastener I drilled out an oversized hole, filled with thickened epoxy and drilled my final hole through that.

Of course, I would do that with any cored material. In fact, the lack of doing that is what killed the original Marine ply seats.....